mineral

Milky quartz (likely weathered quartz fragment)

Quartz, silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

AI-generated identification · may be incorrect

White to cream, translucent, with a dull-to-glassy luster and irregular fracture; visible brown staining is likely iron oxide or soil. Quartz has Mohs hardness 7, no cleavage, hexagonal crystal structure, and specific gravity about 2.65.

Identified August 11, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in hydrothermal veins, pegmatites, and quartz-rich rocks; the rounded shape suggests weathering and transport. Its precise geological age cannot be determined from the photograph.

Uses & applications

Common quartz is used in glass, ceramics, abrasives, engineered stone, and electronics; attractive pieces are collected but usually have little jewelry value unless clear and well formed.

Geological facts

Quartz should scratch ordinary steel or glass, while a steel nail should not scratch it. Cream coloration can result from microscopic inclusions or iron staining.

Field identification & locations

The specimen is consistent with quartz-bearing rocks and alluvial deposits around the Maya Mountains and surrounding limestone terrain near 17.2°N, 89.1°W, Belize. Confirm with a scratch test and inspect for conchoidal fracture; calcite is a regional alternative if it is easily scratched by a steel knife.